I have been using safer skincare products from Beautycounter for many years. Over a year ago, I switched to the Beautycounter countertime regimen, and here is why.
Fast forward to today, I still love and use countertime. It’s the core part of my skincare. I am excited to share my review with you!
Why I Switched to the Countertime Regimen
Before I switched to countertime, I was using Beautycounter’s countermatch regimen. Although I really loved countermatch and even wrote a review back then, I knew that at my age (39 when I started using countertime, 41 today), I should be incorporating anti-aging products into my routines.
However, most anti-aging products on the market use retinol. When Beautycounter finally launched a revolutionary anti-aging line, I was over the moon excited. Here I will break down all the factors I considered before switching to the Beautycounter countertime regimen.
When to Start Using Anti-Aging Skincare?
When we pass the growth stage, around the age of 25, our physical body starts to slowly decline. And that includes our skin too. Our skin cell turn over rate begins to slow down; we get more wrinkles and fine lines as our skin becomes less capable of retaining moisture; we are less able to deal with oxidative stress; and our skin produces less collagen and becomes thinner.
In my opinion, it’s a good idea to start using anti-aging products that address the above changes in the late 20s. I am definitely a late starter, but better late than never, right? In fact, I initially started using Beautycounter because I disliked how much my skin has aged in my mid-30s.
Is Retinol Safe?
Retinol and other retinoids are a family of vitamin A derivatives best known for their use in anti-aging skin-care products, because they work. Retinoids include retinol, Retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, retinyl linoleate, retinyl propionate, and hydroxypinacolone retinoate. When retinoids are used on the skin, they convert to retinoic acid.
However, studies show that retinoic acid can have harmful side effects, including being a skin irritant and making the skin sensitive to the sun’s damaging rays. In fact, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Skin Deep database rated retinol and other retinoids an alarming “9”! Both the EU and Canada have restricted the use of retinol – the EU cites a “precautionary principle,” which means that if an ingredient has shown evidence of danger to human health or the environment, it takes preventative action.
This photo was taken when Beautycounter just launched countertime. I was visiting the Beautycounter store on Nantucket.
Retinatural Complex in the Beautycounter Countertime Collection
Beautycounter created a safer alternative, a plant-derived retinatural complex for the countertime collection. The hero ingredients in retinatural complex are Bakuchiol and Swiss alpine rose.
Bakuchiol delivers many of retinol’s anti-aging skin benefits without irritation and side effects. It’s also traditionally used in Chinese and Ayurvedic skin-care remedies. I love traditional Chinese medicine as it saved my life.
Swiss alpine rose grows at the highest altitudes of the Alps, and is known for its ability to protect itself against environmental stressors like dehydration and helps boost skin’s antioxidant defence.
Bakuchiol vs. Retinol for Anti-Aging
The following chart is a side-by-side comparison between Bakuchiol and retinol as the main anti-aging ingredients.
Beautycounter Countertime Review
Effective, Luxurious and Eco-Conscious
The Beautycounter countertime regimen works well and feels good for my skin. After over a year of use, it truly feels more suitable for me than countermatch. Countertime never irritated my skin and I feel confident in the way my skin looks. Countertime provides enough hydration for my dry skin and it’s so luxurious at the same time.
I love the clean and effective ingredients. Even more, I love the delightful floral scents and the incorporation of Asian beauty rituals – oil cleansing and the use of essence – in the design of countertime. It’s the subtlety and perfection of this collection that make it win over other products in comparison.
I love the elegance of the pink bottles. And being an environmentalist, I appreciate Beautycounter’s effort to produce the entire collection in glass packaging.
Countertime as the Core of My Skincare
Countertime is the core of my current skincare routines. With that said, it’s important to acknowledge that I have been using a variety of Beautycounter products in my routines and as add-ons. Before I switched to Beautycounter in 2018, my skin was very sensitive and sometimes inflamed. The following year and half using Beautycounter products had corrected my skin sensitivity issues.
There are a few other Beautycounter products I can’t live without. Together with countertime they have been amazing for my skin. Other Beautycounter skincare products I currently use are: the overnight resurfacing peel, charcoal mask, all 3 of Beautycounter’s face oils (I use them in different seasons and for different purposes), all bright C serum, acne spot treatment, cleansing balm.
How to Use Countertime Regimen
The Beautycounter countertime regimen consists of 4 steps: cleanse, prep, treat and protect. When you are using countertime regimen only, your daily routine should look like this:
- AM: Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil -> Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence -> Tripeptide Radiant Serum -> Antioxidant Soft Cream
- PM: Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil -> Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence -> Tripeptide Radiant Serum -> Tetrapeptide Supreme Cream
If you are like me using other products in addition to the countertime regimen, you can customize your regimen by swapping some products. Be sure to maintain the sequence of the steps.
Most days my morning routine looks like the one above, but sometimes I would switch things up. For example, my morning routine may look like: Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil -> Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence -> All Bright C Serum -> Antioxidant Soft Cream -> #3 Face Oil
My typical evening routine is: Cleansing Balm -> Overnight Resurfacing Peel -> Tetrapeptide Supreme Cream
Is the Countertime Collection Right for Your Skin Type?
No matter how much I love countertime, you have to decide if this collection is right for you. Start by comparing the 5 Beautycounter skincare collections, and think about which one matches your skin type and needs the closest.
Want to Know More?
I have been a Beautycounter consultant since 2018. If you have further questions, I am happy to help. You can also find me in my Facebook group and on Instagram to be kept up to date on Beautycounter sales and promotions!
Related: Other Blog Posts on Safer Skincare from Beautycounter
- How to Choose a Safe Sunscreen + My Review of the Beautycounter Sunscreens
- My Favourite Safer Skincare for Sensitive Dry Skin
- Why I Joined Beautycounter: More Than Being a Consultant, It’s a Movement
Leave a Reply